SIX STRING SHOWDOWN - Mike Packer correspondent

New York City was alive with the blues last Sunday July 31, 2011 when the New York City Blues Society featured 13 of the finest blues guitar players in the NYC area. The event was called " The Six String Showdown" and took place at the historic Kenny's Castaway's on Bleecker Street in Greenwhich Village.

It was an all day affair. New Jersey bluesman Nasty Ned and his terrific band started off the party with some slamming Chicago blues. Ned happened to be the only harp player invited to this guitar shindig. Ned's house band did an excellent job of backing up the long list of performers: Andy Story, Bennett Harris, Myself (Nasty Ned & Ed Jackson joined me on stage), Bill Sims, Chris Berguson, Dave Fields, Geoof Hartwell, Jason Green, David Coppa, Joe Taino, Johnny Childs, Matt Daniels and Brooklyn's own Michael Hill.

Johnny Childs who is the founder of The NYC Blues Society hosted this event of 200 plus blues fans and musicians. Johnny who is a fabulous guitarist along with his gal Jesse created a down home atmosphere which was appreciated by all who attended.

Some of the highlights for me was seeing Bill Sims Jr. perform. Bill is a legendary NYC guitarist. I have known Bill since the early days @ Dan Lynch Blues Bar and he is truly authentic. Bill will soon be inducted into The Blues Hall Of Fame in September.
I also completely enjoyed the guitar playing of 27 year old Matt Daniels who is down right phenomenal. He is also a member of The Mikey Jr. Blues Band from South Philly.
It is hard for me to feature all the guitarists here in this blog but I guarantee you they all are exciting and if your in the New York City area check them out. There is a thriving blues scene in NYC and we are keeping the blues alive!
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The Junkmans Son - DVD - Review

North Country Film Festival Documentary Winner "The Junkmans Son" is a film about one mans conviction to live life the way he wanted to do it. He began to live his life as a young teen outside of the constraints of his own family values and lived on the edge basically his entire life up until he was (at least) 30. As we watch the documentary we discover some of the things that have molded his inner being. This is a very interesting documentary about a young man who determines that his destiny is to get a contract with a major blues label doing his own thing his own way. He takes a lot of bad turns along the way and doesn't always take good advice but at least it appears real. It's also interesting that he had the forsight to film a good lot of it as he was in progress. There were parts of the movie that I didn't understand culturally but I do like slices of life and this was one huge slice.

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to watch this film and would recommend it to anyone who wants to see what conviction to a goal is all about.

Well Done!

Groove - Johnny Childs

The album is called Groove and a groove it has. This cd I have to admit is like nothing I have ever heard. It has it all...quirky lyrics, unconventional delivery, experimental soloing, interesting use of effects with a traditional structure.

The title track has a very ethnic sound and was even gutsy for a concept first cd.

The guitar playing contrasted from precise and tasty to almost spastic... which isn't necessarily bad.

The standout track for me was Thumbs Boogie, a tight instrumental.

Overall "Groove' is an enjoyable recording.

Groove EPK

Looking forward to a copy to review. Initially looks very promising.

The Junkmans Son

New DVD out. I was just made aware of this... watch the trailer. It looks very good. Hope to have an interview with Johnny Childs soon!

Meet Yonah Krohn, a.k.a. Johnny Childs. He's handsome, funny, shrewd, crude and maybe even slightly demented. But no doubt he is one sensational blues artist who has even been likened to a Picasso of the genre. Most importantly Johnny is one of the most determined human beings of our generation. So determined, that within six months, [before the day he turns 30] he's going to get signed to a major Blues record label, against all odds and by any means necessary. And shortly thereafter he will go on to win the "W.C. Handy Award" for "Best New Blues Artist of the Year",

...Or so he hopes.

Along the journey into Johnny Childs’ world, we begin to understand the incredible personal history that fuels his tremendous musical passion. Eight years in the making, and culminated from over 200 hours of footage and other media, this film follows Johnny as a 12 year old runaway, through his restrictive Ultra-Orthodox Jewish upbringing in Toronto, dealing cocaine in Miami and a strange but spirited journey thru Boston, Jerusalem, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ultimately, THE JUNKMAN'S SON is a candid, off the wall story about human determination and a portrayal of passion, excess, risk-taking, fame and the pursuit of one's own personal happiness.